80: Strategic planning, base plan

Under Long Tao's skillful control, the dragon boat slowly entered Thousand Sails Ferry's massive natural harbor, following the specific navigation channel indicated by the ferry official.

This port was clearly built around a huge natural deep-water bay, with mountains embracing it on both sides, forming a natural barrier that reduced wind and waves.

The water inside the harbor was wide and calm.

Here, it was noticeably more open than other places in the Southern Border's interior.

As far as the eye could see, masts were like a forest, sails obscured the sky, and countless ships of all kinds were densely moored, no fewer than a thousand.

There were ancient-style Southern Border rafts adorned with various tribal totems; lavishly decorated multi-decked ships and pleasure boats clearly belonging to large tribes; and Sect battle boats made entirely of metal, with shimmering runes, exuding a murderous aura.

On the docks, people swarmed, shoulder to shoulder.

Shouts, calls, bargaining, and the roars of Yao Beasts and cries of birds intertwined, creating a deafening clamor that was nevertheless orderly amidst the chaos.

Cultivators, merchants, laborers, and sailors from all directions, dressed in different attire, moved back and forth, transporting goods and exchanging documents, presenting a vibrant and prosperous scene.

The air was a mix of the salty scent of seawater, the fragrance of spices from goods, the smell of Yao Beast furs, Spiritual Plants, and Ore, as well as the unique body odors of various races, forming a special aroma exclusive to a large port.

Long Tao was clearly very familiar with this place, deftly guiding the dragon boat to avoid the large ships in the main channel, turning into a relatively quiet auxiliary port area, and finally docking steadily next to a berth marked with the Angry Dragon Clan's emblem—a coiled Dragon horn totem.

"Clan Head Li, we have arrived."

Long Tao turned and said respectfully, "This is our Clan's exclusive berth at Thousand Sails Ferry. Please follow me; the Clan has an establishment here that can provide rest and supplies."

Li Yinglong, having been on the ship for seven days, was also a bit tired.

He nodded and followed Long Tao off the dragon boat, stepping onto the pier paved with thick wooden planks.

Long Tao led him through the busy dock area and into a complex of stone and wood buildings built into the hillside behind the port.

The streets here, though still bustling with people, were much quieter than the docks, with most of the buildings on either side being various Clan's trade guilds, warehouses, and workshops.

Finally, they stopped in front of a shop with a rather large facade.

The shop was built with rough rock and dark hardwood, with a wooden plaque hanging above the doorway, inscribed with both vigorous Southern Border script and common script: "Dragon's Breath Spiritual Plant and Ore."

At the entrance stood two burly Clan soldiers, wearing traditional Angry Dragon Clan leather armor and exuding a formidable aura.

Upon seeing Long Tao and his group, the guards immediately saluted with their right hands over their chests, a smile appearing on their faces, clearly familiar with them.

"Brother Tao is back!"

Long Tao nodded in response and introduced to Li Yinglong, "Clan Head Li, this is our Clan's establishment at Thousand Sails Ferry. It mainly deals in our Clan's specialty Spiritual Plants, medicinal Materials, and rare Ore, and also acquires some in-demand external supplies."

Li Yinglong looked around.

The interior of the shop was spacious, with counters and shelves mostly crafted from solid wood, appearing heavy and sturdy.

However, compared to the large storefront, the displayed goods seemed somewhat... sparse.

On one side of the shelves, there were some dried herbal plants, and mineral powders or raw Ore samples in pottery jars.

On the other side, a few polished bone artifacts, several bundles of tanned animal hides, and some Southern Border characteristic woven goods were displayed, looking more like incidental local products for sale.

Although there were many goods, they were highly homogeneous.

Dragon Blood Grass, Snake Scale Fruit, Red Copper Ore, Profound Iron Ingots... these things could be found in eight out of ten other shops at Thousand Sails Ferry also dealing in Southern Border specialties.

There were only a few customers in the shop, and the assistants were not particularly busy.

Overall, although the shop occupied a considerable area and had the appearance of a large Clan's establishment, its business seemed only mediocre, and the variety and quantity of goods, compared to the prosperity of Thousand Sails Ferry, even appeared somewhat "straitened."

"The Foundation is here, but there's no unique characteristic; it's just a large quantity... it's merely a transit point for arduous journeys."

This thought clearly emerged in Li Yinglong's mind.

His experience in the business world in his previous life allowed him to instantly grasp the shop's positioning and Bottleneck.

Maintaining operations with high-volume, low-profit common Materials; it would be difficult to advance further.

The Angry Dragon Clan had a steady and calm disposition, content with their corner, and although they possessed a treasure mountain, they were clearly not skilled in business and trade. Their industrial chain was singular, and they might be constrained by Clan rules or their own beliefs, not fully developing and managing it.

No wonder they had to go out to exchange for supplies before; this was clearly evident.

Long Tao also seemed a bit embarrassed and said in a low voice, "The Clan Elders dislike noise, so this outpost was established mainly to exchange for necessary salt, iron, cloth, and external supplies needed for the Clan's cultivation. Not much effort has been put into its operation. Please excuse me, Clan Head Li."

Li Yinglong smiled slightly, indicating understanding: "Self-sufficiency and bartering are common for tribes; your esteemed Clan's ability to establish an outpost here already shows foresight."

However, he secretly noted:

This place might be an opportunity. The Angry Dragon Clan has resources, but lacks business concepts and channels.

If the Li Family could deeply cooperate with them in the future, utilizing its own commercial network, it might be able to carve out a new world here.

Long Tao arranged for an assistant to take him to the back hall for rest and tea, while he himself went to handle procedures such as port departure reporting and berth fee payment.

Li Yinglong politely declined the offer to drink tea and rest, stating that he wanted to stroll around nearby.

He walked out of "Dragon's Breath Spiritual Plant and Ore" alone and merged into the bustling crowd of Thousand Sails Ferry's market.

He did not walk fast, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the dazzling array of shops and stalls on both sides.

There were luxurious treasure pavilions specializing in South Sea pearls, corals, and water jade;

Alchemy workshops exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, claiming to be able to refine secret medicines of various Clans;

Magical Artifact workshops with roaring furnaces and incessant hammering sounds;

Curio shops hanging various Talismans, compasses, and Formation Flags;

And even taverns and teahouses where people from all walks of life gathered, spreading rumors of unknown veracity... What he saw and heard all confirmed the complex nature of this place where land and water met, and all sorts of people converged.

Information, resources, population, and even potential crises were rapidly flowing and colliding here.

The Southern Border's largest and only seaport indeed had its unique characteristics.

Li Yinglong walked and stopped, his thoughts racing, and a clear blueprint gradually took shape.

"In the future, the Li Family must have a foothold here. It doesn't need to be a grand affair; even just a small warehouse, serving as an intelligence outpost, a stronghold, for collecting information, procuring supplies, and building connections, will be an important feeler for the Family's outward expansion."

He did not intend to immediately delve into the local business of the Southern Border.

The Li Family currently lacked the strength and the necessity for that.

What he saw was something deeper:

Information hub, unique window, resource circulation... He had a premonition that this Southern Border, this Thousand Sails Ferry, would play an important role when the winds of change arose in the future.

The golden glow of the setting sun fell upon Thousand Sails Ferry's bustling harbor and sea, casting a warm hue over this chaotic yet vibrant mega-port.

Li Yinglong stood on a high slope, looking back at the densely packed houses below, the forest of masts, and the surging crowd, his eyes deep.